There is more to sleep than the hours you spend in bed. Getting a good night’s sleep means sleeping for at least eight hours uninterrupted and having a consistent sleep schedule. Without enough quality sleep, you raise your risk of many diseases and disorders, including stroke, heart disease, obesity, and dementia. Unfortunately, individuals with sleep apnea may not enjoy quality sleep due to disrupted breathing. The good news is that Dallas JAM Wellness Clinics offer treatments for patients with sleep apnea to improve their overall life quality.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common condition whereby breathing starts and stops several times, preventing you from enjoying the deep, restful sleep phases. The indicators of this sleep disorder are loud snoring and fatigue after a full night’s sleep. Although snoring is associated with sleep apnea, not everyone that snores has sleep apnea.
Types of sleep apnea
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea; it occurs when the muscles at the back of your throat relax, narrowing your airway. Your throat muscles support the uvula, soft palate, tonsils, tongue, and side walls of the throat. When these muscles relax, your airways narrow or block as you inhale. Consequently, you can’t get enough air, and oxygen levels in your blood drop. When this happens, your brain senses your inability to breathe and arouses you from sleep to open your airway. The awakening occurs so fast that you cannot remember it.
As you awaken to open your airways, you may gasp, choke, or snort. The pattern repeats itself five to 30 times each hour, preventing you from enjoying deep, restful sleep phases.
- Central sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea is a rare disorder when your brain does not transmit signals to your breathing muscles. As a result, you make no effort to breathe for a short period. You may wake up with shortness of breath and have trouble falling or staying asleep.
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome
Complex sleep apnea syndrome is when you are diagnosed with both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea
Obstructive and central sleep apnea have overlapping symptoms, making it challenging to establish your type. Sleep apnea’s most common signs and symptoms include loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headache, and difficulty paying attention. You may also awaken with a dry mouth and have trouble falling asleep. Individuals with sleep apnea also gasp for air during sleep and have episodes where they do not breathe.
Risk factors for sleep apnea
- Family history
Having family members with sleep apnea makes you more likely to develop this condition.
- Excess weight
Fat may accumulate around your upper airways when you are overweight, obstructing your breathing. Losing extra pounds can help lower your risk of sleep apnea and other health issues.
- Gender
Men are three times more likely to have sleep apnea than women, but the risk for women rises after menopause.
- Neck circumference
If you have a thick neck, your airways might be narrow.
- Age
Sleep apnea is more common in older adults than in young people.
Consistently getting a good night’s sleep significantly improves one’s quality of life. Don’t let sleep apnea get in the way of living the life you want. If you have further questions about sleep apnea, consult your doctor at JAM Wellness Clinics.